Implant loading device and system

ABSTRACT

Devices, methods, and systems are provided for loading an implantable device into a container. One aspect of the loading system contains a loader element with a loading tunnel that is configured to gradually contract an implantable device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable device travels through the loading tunnel.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/625,615, filed Sep. 24, 2012, which claims the benefit of ProvisionalApplication No. 61/538,723, Sep. 23, 2011, the full disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference. This application is also acontinuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/820,393, filed on Jun. 22, 2010, which is a continuation applicationof U.S. Pat. No. 7,771,472, filed on Nov. 18, 2005, which claims thebenefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/630,399,filed on Nov. 19, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Present embodiments relate generally to devices, methods, and systemsfor loading an implantable device into a container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,(COPD), reduce the ability of one or both lungs to fully expel airduring the exhalation phase of the breathing cycle. Such diseases areaccompanied by chronic or recurrent obstruction to air flow within thelung. Because of the increase in environmental pollutants, cigarettesmoking, and other noxious exposures, the incidence of COPD hasincreased dramatically in the last few decades and now ranks as a majorcause of activity-restricting or bed-confining disability in the UnitedStates. COPD can include such disorders as chronic bronchitis,bronchiectasis, asthma, and emphysema.

It is known that emphysema and other pulmonary diseases reduce theability of one or both lungs to fully expel air during the exhalationphase of the breathing cycle. One of the effects of such diseases isthat the diseased lung tissue is less elastic than healthy lung tissue,which is one factor that prevents full exhalation of air. Duringbreathing, the diseased portion of the lung does not fully recoil due tothe diseased (e.g., emphysematic) lung tissue being less elastic thanhealthy tissue. Consequently, the diseased lung tissue exerts arelatively low driving force, which results in the diseased lungexpelling less air volume than a healthy lung. The reduced air volumeexerts less force on the airway, which allows the airway to close beforeall air has been expelled, another factor that prevents full exhalation.

The problem is further compounded by the diseased, less elastic tissuethat surrounds the very narrow airways that lead to the alveoli, whichare the air sacs where oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange occurs. Thediseased tissue has less tone than healthy tissue and is typicallyunable to maintain the narrow airways open until the end of theexhalation cycle. This traps air in the lungs and exacerbates thealready-inefficient breathing cycle. The trapped air causes the tissueto become hyper-expanded and no longer able to effect efficientoxygen-carbon dioxide exchange.

In addition, hyper-expanded, diseased lung tissue occupies more of thepleural space than healthy lung tissue. In most cases, a portion of thelung is diseased while the remaining part is relatively healthy and,therefore, still able to efficiently carry out oxygen exchange. Bytaking up more of the pleural space, the hyper-expanded lung tissuereduces the amount of space available to accommodate the healthy,functioning lung tissue. As a result, the hyper-expanded lung tissuecauses inefficient breathing due to its own reduced functionality andbecause it adversely affects the functionality of adjacent healthytissue.

Some recent treatments include the use of devices that isolate adiseased region of the lung in order to reduce the volume of thediseased region, such as by collapsing the diseased lung region.According to such treatments, a delivery catheter is used to implant oneor more implantable devices in airways feeding a diseased region of thelung to regulate fluid flow to the diseased lung region in order tofluidly isolate the region of the lung. These implanted implantabledevices can be, for example, one-way valves that allow flow in theexhalation direction only, occluders or plugs that prevent flow ineither direction, or two-way valves that control flow in bothdirections.

The implantable device is radially compressed into a contracted size forloading into the delivery catheter or a container associated with thecatheter. It can be difficult to properly compress the implantabledevice to a size small enough to fit in the delivery catheter. Thus,there is a need for devices for properly compressing and loading animplantable device into a container.

SUMMARY

Present disclosure relates to aspects of devices, methods, and systemsfor loading an implantable device into a container.

In one aspect, an embodiment of a loading system comprises a loaderelement with a loading tunnel that is configured to gradually contractan implantable device into a compressed state of reduced size relativeto an expanded state as the implantable device travels through theloading tunnel. The loading system further comprises a puller elementthat is removably attached to the implantable device via a suture,wherein the puller element pulls the implantable device through theloading tunnel. In one aspect, the puller element automatically releasesthe suture after the implantable device contracts into the compressedstate.

In one aspect, a loading system further comprises a rotator that isdisposed on the puller element that is configured to be removablyattached to a portion of the suture, wherein a rotation of the rotatorcauses the suture to detach from the rotator. In another aspect, therotator may be disposed on the loader element.

In another aspect, the loading system further comprises a plungerelement, wherein the plunger element comprises an elongated portion thatis configured to push the implantable device through the loading tunnel.In one aspect, the plunger element is configured to push the implantabledevice into a delivery catheter.

In another aspect, the loading tunnel of the loading system comprises afunnel housing that defines an internal, funnel-shaped loading cavity.

In yet another aspect, the loading tunnel of the loading system furtherdefines an internal transfer cavity that communicates with the loadingcavity. In one aspect, the transfer cavity is sized to receive theimplantable device from the loading cavity and retain the implantabledevice in the compressed state.

In yet another aspect, the loading tunnel of the loading system furtherdefines a container cavity that communicates with the transfer cavity.In one aspect, the container cavity is sized to receive a container thatreceives the implantable device in the compressed state.

In one aspect, the implantable device is a pulmonary implant that isconfigured to be placed within a lung region. In another aspect, thecontainer is a housing of a delivery catheter that is configured toreceive the compressed implantable device.

In yet another aspect, an embodiment of the loading system furthercomprises a tension element that is configured to communicate a force tothe loading tunnel. Additionally or optionally, an aspect of the loadingsystem comprises a container locking element that is configured tosecure and align the container with the loader element.

This and other aspects of the present disclosure are described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Present embodiments have other advantages and features which will bemore readily apparent from the following detailed description and theappended claims, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows one embodiment of a loading system where various elementsof the loading system are connected;

FIG. 1B shows one embodiment of a loading system where the variouselements are separated;

FIGS. 2A-2B show two different views of the various components of oneembodiment of the loader element and the puller element;

FIG. 2C shows one embodiment of a suture attachment element disposed onthe puller element;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary operation of oneembodiment of the loading system;

FIGS. 4A-4C show various steps of an exemplary operation of oneembodiment of the loading system;

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate an embodiment of the loading system comprising acatheter locking element;

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an alternative embodiment of the loading system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the detailed description contains many specifics, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure but merely asillustrating different examples and aspects of the disclosure. It shouldbe appreciated that the scope of the disclosure includes otherembodiments not discussed herein. Various other modifications, changesand variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may bemade in the arrangement, operation and details of the method, device,and system of the present embodiments disclosed herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure as described here.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take themeanings explicitly associated herein unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. The meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” include pluralreferences. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Referring to thedrawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views.Additionally, a reference to the singular includes a reference to theplural unless otherwise stated or inconsistent with the disclosureherein.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as advantageous overother implementations.

Disclosed herein are methods, devices and systems for loading animplantable device into a delivery device for delivering the apparatusto a body region, such as a bronchial passageway.

Throughout this disclosure, reference is made to the term “implantabledevice”. As used herein, the term “implantable device” refers to variouscollapsible and/or self-expanding implant including implants configuredto maintain openings in vascular, urinary, biliary, esophageal, andrenal tracts, and vena cava filters. Furthermore, it is contemplatedthat the implantable device may be various pulmonary implants configuredto be placed within a lung region to treat pulmonary disorders includingbut limited to flow restrictive devices such as valves including one-wayvalves that allow flow in the exhalation direction only, occluders orplugs that prevent flow in either direction, or two-way valves thatcontrol flow in both directions.

In one embodiment, present disclosure describes devices, systems, andmethods for loading a collapsible pulmonary implant into a deliverysystem, such as a delivery catheter, in preparation for delivering theimplant into a lung region such as the pulmonary airways of a patient.In one embodiment, collapsible pulmonary implants are made ofmemory-shape materials, such as Nitinol, and are compressed to enabledelivery through relatively small and curved bodily pathways to the lungregion. In one embodiment, delivery devices, such as catheters, retainthe collapsed pulmonary implants in a radially compressed state fordelivery to the treatment site, where the implant is released into thelung region and regains its non-compressed shape. The presentembodiments disclose various aspects of loading devices that collapsesuch implants and optionally insert them into a container such as adelivery catheter.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show two perspective views of one embodiment of aloading system 100 for compressing an implantable device such as apulmonary implant and optionally for inserting the implantable deviceinto a housing of the delivery catheter. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, oneembodiment of the loading system 100 comprises a loader element 110, apuller element 120, and a plunger element 130. The plunger element 130comprises an elongated portion 131 and optionally comprises a lockingelement 132 whereby the locking element 132 is configured to be insertedinto the loader element 110 and the puller element 120 such that theloading system 100 may be configured, at least before the loadingoperation, as an inter-connected discrete unit. Alternatively, theloader element 110 and the puller element 120 may be secured throughother locking or securing means and the plunger element 130 may be aseparate unit.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2D, where various components of one embodimentof the loader element 110 and the puller element 120 are shown. Asdescribed in detail below, the loader element 110 is used to compress acollapsible implantable device 140 to a size that can fit into acontainer, such as a housing of the delivery catheter. Additionally andoptionally the loader element 110 is configured to facilitate thealignment of the compressed implantable device 140 with a container,such as a housing of the delivery catheter. As seen in FIG. 2, theloader element 110 comprises a loading tunnel 112 disposedlongitudinally within the loader housing 111. In one embodiment, theloading tunnel 112 may comprise three regions, including a funnel-shapedloading region 112 a, a container region 112 b, and a catheter region112 c. The loading region 112 a of the loading tunnel 112 graduallyreduces in diameter moving in a rearward direction from the frontopening 110 a toward the rear opening 110 b of the loader element 110 soas to provide the loading region 112 a with a funnel shape. The housingregion 112 b has a shape that substantially conforms to the outer shapeof the catheter housing or configured to receive a portion of thecatheter so that the catheter housing may be inserted into and/oraligned with the housing region 112 c. The catheter region 112 c isshaped to receive the housing of the delivery catheter. Additionally andoptionally, the loading tunnel 112 may be connected to a tension element113 exemplarily shown as a spring that is configured to apply a force tothe loading tunnel towards the front opening 110 a.

Referring now to the puller element 120, which in one embodiment maycomprise a substantially cylindrical hollow body. The puller element 120comprises a pin 121 disposed on the hollow body or it may be suspendedwithin the hollow body. The puller element 120 further comprises amoveable rotator 122 that is configured to rotate along the pin 121. Asseen in FIG. 2B, in one embodiment, the rotator 122 may comprise a bodythat is configured to connect to the pin 121, a first tine 122 a and asecond tine 122 b, whereby the first tine 122 a is longer than thesecond tine 122 b. In one embodiment, one or both tines may besubstantially triangular in shape such that the base of the tines thatis connected to the body of the rotator is larger than the tip of thetines. Alternatively, the tines may assume various other configurations.Furthermore, it is contemplated that the rotator may comprise a singletine.

The loader element 110 further comprises a rotator track that isconfigured to accommodate the rotator 122. The rotator 122 is receivedby the tack disposed on the loader element 110 such that the rotator 122resides within the rotator track when the loader element 110 and thepuller element 120 are connected. The rotator track is furtherconfigured to allow the rotator 122 to slide along the rotator trackduring the loading operation, when the puller element 120 is moved awayfrom the loader element 110.

As seen in FIG. 2C, the loading system 100 further comprises at leastone flexible element that is configured to connect the puller element120 and the implantable device 140. The flexible element may be a wireor suture, such as polypropylene monofilament suture. In one embodiment,the suture 150 is affixed to the puller element 120 by one or moreadhesives configured to bond the suture 150 to the puller element 120.Alternatively or additionally, the second end of the suture 150 may beaffixed to the puller element 120 by fastening, tying, or looping thesuture 150 to the puller element 120. It is contemplated that the pullerelement 120 comprises a suture attachment element 123 that is configuredto receive the second portion of the suture 150 and enables and/orfacilitates affixing the suture 130 to the puller element 120. In oneembodiment, the suture attachment element 123 may comprise an attachmentanchor 123 a where the suture 150 may be attached to the attachmentanchor 123 a by fastening, tying, and/or looping around the attachmentanchor 123 a. The attachment element 123 may further comprise areceiving track configured to receive the suture 150 and may compriseslots where adhesives may be applied to affix the suture 150 to thepuller element 120.

In one embodiment, the suture 150 is configured as a suture loop that isremovably attached to the implantable device 140 by threading the loopthrough a portion of the implantable device 140 as described inco-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/820,393. The suture loop isfurther removably attached to the rotator 122 such that the suture loopresides between the first and second tines of the rotator 122.

Referring now to FIG. 3, which is a flow diagram that illustratesexemplary steps of operating one embodiment of the loading system.Aspects of the steps described herein are also illustrated in FIGS.4A-4C as well as FIGS. 1A-1B. In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 1A, theloading system 100 comprising a loader element 110, a pulling element120, and a plunger element 130 are mated to form a discrete unit. It isfurther noted that the implantable device 140 is placed within loadingregion 112 a of the loading tunnel 112 and attached to the suture 150prior to the loading operation.

At step 201, the loader element 110, puller element 120, and the plungerelement 130 are unlocked. In an embodiment, where the loading system 100is configured as a discrete unit, the locking element 132 is released byremoving the plunger element 130 from the puller element 120 and theloader element 110. Alternatively, the loader element 110 and the pullerelement 120 may be locked or secured through other means, and it iscontemplated that during step 201 that such lock means is released thusenabling the loader element 110 and the puller element 120 to beseparated.

At step 202, the implantable device 140 is pulled through the loadingregion 112 a of the loading tunnel thereby causing the implantabledevice 140 to transition from an expanded state to a compressed state.The puller element 120 is pulled or moved away from the loader element110. As the puller element 120 is moved away from the loader element110, the suture 150 attached to the implantable device 160 and thepuller element 120 pulls the implantable device 140 through the loadingregion 112 a towards the container region 112 b of the loading tunnel112. As this happens, the funnel shape of the loading region 112 acauses the implantable device 140 to be gradually compressed such thatthe diameter of the implantable device 140 is gradually reduced as theimplantable device 140 moves toward and into the container region 112 b.In one embodiment, the walls of the loading tunnel 112 provide anequally balanced compressive force around the entire circumference ofthe implantable device 140 as the implantable device moves through theloading tunnel 112. This reduces the likelihood of deforming theimplantable device 140 during compression. Concurrent to the pulling ofthe implantable device 140, the rotator which is removably attached tothe suture 150 is configured to move or slide away from the loaderdevice 110 along the rotator track disposed on the loader device 110.

At step 203, and as seen in FIG. 4A, the puller element 120 issufficiently pulled or moved away from the loader element 110 causingthe implantable device 140 to be pulled into the container region 112 bof the loading tunnel 112. Furthermore, the movement of the pullerelement 110 in conjunction with the resulting suture tension causes therotator to move sufficiently away from the loader element 110 such thatthat the rotator exits the track. Thereafter, the suture tension due tothe continued pulling of the puller element 120 causes the rotator 122to rotate along the pin. The rotation of rotator 122 causes the rotator122 to transition from a first position (while rotator was inside therotator track) to a second position (after the rotator exists therotator track) and/or causes the orientation of the rotator tines tochange. The rotation and/or the subsequent transition of the rotator 122cause the suture 150 that was attached to the rotator 122 to detach fromthe rotator 122. For example, the portion of the suture 150 that wasattached to the rotator 122 between the first and second tines 122 a and122 b may slide off due to the rotation thus detaching the suture 150from the rotator 122.

At step 204, the puller element 120 is further pulled or moved away fromthe loader element 110 causing a complete separation of the pullerelement 120 and the loader element. The suture 150 is attached to thepuller element 120 while it is detached from the implantable device 140.Specifically, after the detachment of the suture 150 from the rotator122, the suture 150 is drawn through and exits the implantable device140 and thereby detaching the suture 150 from the implantable device140.

At step 205, and as seen in FIG. 4B, a portion of the delivery catheter160 is placed into the loader element 110, such that the portion of thedelivery catheter 160 is inserted into and/or aligned with the catheterregion 112 c of the loading tunnel 112. Optionally, prior to placing thedelivery catheter 160 into the loader element 110, the loader tunnel 112is first pushed towards the rear opening 110 a and thereby compressingthe tension element 113. Thereafter, a portion of the delivery catheter160 is placed into the loader element 110 as described above and theloading tunnel 112 is released. The compressed tension element 113thereby applies a force that pushes the loading tunnel 112 towards thefront opening 110 b; this force may be advantageous since it may easethe alignment of the delivery catheter 160 with the catheter region 112c of the loading tunnel 112 by pushing the loading tunnel 112 towardsthe delivery catheter 160.

At step 206, and as seen in FIG. 4C, after the portion of the deliverycatheter 160 is placed into and/or substantially aligned with the loaderelement 110, the plunger element 130 is used to push the implantabledevice 140 into the delivery catheter 160. In one embodiment, theelongated portion 131 of the plunger element 130 is inserted into theloading tunnel 112 through the rear opening 110 b of the loader element110, thereafter, the elongated portion 131 forces the implantable device140 that resides in the container region of the loading tunnel 112 intothe delivery catheter 160. Thereafter, the delivery catheter containingthe implantable device is removed from the loader element 110.

An alternative embodiment of a loading system is shown in FIGS. 5A and5B. As seen FIG. 5A, an embodiment of a loading system 300 comprises aloader element 310, a puller element 320, and a plunger element (notshown). The loader element 310 comprises a front opening 310 a and arear opening 310 b. The loader element 310 further comprises a loadingtunnel 311 that is held in place or suspended within the housing element310 by a tunnel mount 312. The loading tunnel 311 may comprise a loadingregion, a container region, and the catheter region similar to theconfiguration as described above. An optional first tension element 313is disposed within the housing element 310 that applies a tension to theloading tunnel 311 and/or the tunnel mount 312.

As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in one embodiment, a catheter lockingelement 340 comprises a first opening 341 and a second opening 342 ismovably disposed within the loader element 310. The area of the firstopening 341 is configured to accommodate a delivery catheter 350 whilefacilitates in placing and/or securing the delivery catheter 350 suchthat the catheter is substantially aligned with the loading tunnel 312.The second opening 342 is configured with a larger area than the firstopening 341 to facilitate the insertion and/or removal of the deliverycatheter 350 from the loader element 310. The first opening 341 and thesecond opening 342 are connected via a channel, wherein the channel isconfigured to accommodate the delivery catheter 350 such that thedelivery catheter 350 may transition from the first opening 341 to thesecond opening 342 and vice-versa. In one embodiment, the catheterlocking element 340 is disposed on top of a second tension element 314within the housing element 310.

Prior to the loading operation, as seen in FIG. 5A, the second tensionelement 314 is compressed by the catheter locking element 340 by using alocking pin 315 that protrudes from the tunnel mount 312. The lockingpin 315 may be inserted into the first opening 341 of the catheterlocking element 320 thereby causing the catheter locking element 340 tocompress the second tension element 314 and substantially aligns thesecond opening 342 with the loading tunnel 311.

The puller element 320 comprises a pin 321 and a moveable rotator 322that is configured to rotate along the pin 321. As seen in FIG. 2B, inone embodiment, the rotator 322 comprises a body that is configured toconnect to the pin 321 and a tine 322 a. Alternatively, the rotator 322may assume various other configurations such as the rotator previouslydescribed comprising multiple tines.

Additionally, the loading system 300 further comprises a suture that isaffixed to a suture attachment element (not shown) on the puller element320. The suture may be configured as a suture loop that is threadedthrough an implantable device 330 and removably attached to the rotator322 as described above.

In an exemplary operation of the loading device 300, the puller element320 is pulled or moved away from the housing element 310 until therotator 322 rotates to release the suture and consequently the suture isreleased from the implantable device 330. Thereafter, a deliverycatheter 350 is inserted into the loader element 310 through the secondopening 342 of the catheter locking element 340. Tension is then appliedto the catheter 350 which causes the tunnel mount 312 to move towardsthe rear opening 310 b of the loader element 310. The movement of thetunnel mount 312 causes the locking pin 315 to exit from the firstopening 341 of the catheter locking element 340 thereby causing thesecond tension element 314 to transition from a compressed state to arelaxed state which moves the catheter locking element 340 away from thebase of the second tension element 314. The movement causes the firstopening 341 of the catheter locking element 340 to align with theloading tunnel 311 and causes the delivery catheter 350 to exit thesecond opening 342 and transition through the channel into the firstopening 341 as seen in FIG. 5B. Since the first opening 341 isconfigured with a smaller diameter than the second opening 342, byaligning with the loading tunnel 311 and placing the catheter 350 in thefirst opening 341, the catheter locking element 350 is configured tofacilitate or aid in the stabilizing and/or the aligning of the catheter350 with the loading tunnel 311. Thereafter, the plunger element (notshown) is applied to push the implantable device 330 into the catheter350.

Thereafter, the plunger element is removed from the loader element 310,and the catheter 350 is release from the catheter locking element 340 byapplying tension to the second tension element 314 such that thecatheter 350 transitions back into the second opening 342, thereafter,the catheter 350 is removed from the loader element 310.

In yet another embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 6A-C, one embodiment of aloading system 400 comprises a loader element 410, puller element 420,and the plunger element 430. The loader element 410 comprises loadingtunnel 411 comprising a loading region, container region, and a catheterregion as described above. In one embodiment, the loader element 410further comprises a tunnel mount 412, a pin connected to the loaderelement 410 and a rotator 413 configured to rotate along the pin. Asuture is affixed to the puller element and it is removably attached toimplantable device 440 and the rotator 413 as described above. Theloader element 410 further comprises a tension element 414 that isdisposed between tunnel mount 412 and the loading portion of the loadingtunnel 411 a. The puller element 420 comprises a tunnel locking element421 that is configured to secure the loading tunnel 411 when the pullerelement 420 and the loader element 410 are mated.

In an exemplary operation of the loading system 400, as seen in FIG. 6Bthe loading element 410 and the plunger element 430 are initially mated.Likewise, the puller element 420 and the loader element 410 areinitially connected. As seen in FIG. 6C, a delivery catheter is firstplaced into the loading system 400 through the puller element 420. Thepuller element 420 is moved towards the plunger element 430, andconsequently, a tension is applied through the suture to pull theimplantable device 440 from the loading portion into the housing portionof the loading tunnel 411. Further movement of the puller element 420causes the rotator 413 disposed on the loader element 410 to rotate andthe suture is released from the rotator 413. Thereafter, the suture isreleased from the implantable device 440. Further movement of the pullerelement 420 towards plunger element 430 causes the elongated portion ofthe plunger element 430 to push the implantable device 440 into thedelivery catheter 450, thereafter, the loaded delivery catheter isremoved from the loader element 410.

Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods, wherethe kits typically include one or more of the above system for loadingan implantable device, as described above. In certain embodiments, thekits at least include a loader element. Kits may also include a plungerelement, an implantable device, and/or a delivery catheter. Additionalcomponents may be included in the kit.

In addition to above-mentioned components, the subject kits typicallyfurther include instructions for using the components of the kit topractice the subject methods. The instructions for practicing thesubject methods are generally recorded on a suitable recording medium.For example, the instructions may be printed on a substrate, such aspaper or plastic, etc. As such, the instructions may be present in thekits as a package insert, in the labeling of the container of the kit orcomponents thereof (i.e., associated with the packaging or subpackaging)etc. In other embodiments, the instructions are present as an electronicstorage data file present on a suitable computer readable storagemedium, e.g. CD-ROM, diskette, etc. In yet other embodiments, the actualinstructions are not present in the kit, but means for obtaining theinstructions from a remote source, e.g. via the internet, are provided.An example of this embodiment is a kit that includes a web address wherethe instructions can be viewed and/or from which the instructions can bedownloaded. As with the instructions, this means for obtaining theinstructions is recorded on a suitable substrate

While the above is a complete description of various embodiments, any ofa number of alternatives, modifications, and equivalents may be used inalternative embodiments. Therefore, the above description should not betaken as limiting the scope of the invention as it is defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for loading an implantable pulmonarydevice into a container, comprising: a loading element comprising afunnel-shaped loading tunnel configured to gradually contract animplantable pulmonary device into a compressed state of reduced sizerelative to an expanded state as the implantable pulmonary devicetravels through the funnel-shaped loading tunnel; and a puller elementthat is removably attached to the implantable pulmonary device, whereinthe puller element pulls the implantable pulmonary device through thefunnel-shaped loading tunnel; wherein the puller element automaticallyreleases the implantable pulmonary device after the implantablepulmonary device contracts into the compressed state.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a plunger element, wherein the plungerelement comprises an elongated portion that is configured to push theimplantable pulmonary device through the funnel-shaped loading tunnel.3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plunger element is configured topush the implantable pulmonary device into a delivery catheter.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the funnel-shaped loading tunnel furtherdefines an internal transfer cavity that communicates with thefunnel-shaped loading cavity, the transfer cavity sized to receive theimplantable device from the funnel-shaped loading cavity and retain theimplantable pulmonary device in the compressed state.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the funnel-shaped loading tunnel further defines acontainer cavity that communicates with the transfer cavity, thecontainer cavity sized to receive a container that receives theimplantable pulmonary device in the compressed state.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the container is a delivery catheter that is configuredto deliver the implantable pulmonary device to a lung region.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a tension element that isconfigured to communicate a force to the funnel-shaped loading tunnel.8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a container locking elementthat is configured to secure and align the container with the loadingelement.